Picked up a 629 "Frankengun"!

[madmikeb]

Was in Tucson a week ago and saw this 5" custom 629-6. Caught my attention so I went back Thursday and gave it a closer look.

I would say it started as a 629-6 either a Classic Stainless or a Classic DX Stainless. Not sure though because my SCSW 5th edition says that these would have had a grooved backstrap and this doesn't.

It looks to me like the full lug was milled off to give it a classic configuration, then bead blasted, chambers were numbered and the action smoothed, but not lightened.

I have no idea who did the work, but the bore is like a mirror, locks up bank vault tight, no endshake, good carry up, no push off, and a .007 b/c gap. It seems to be a high quality job, definitely not Bubba!

What caught my eye was the 5" standard barrel. Not something I had ever seen on a 629.

Had a price of $800, got it for $750. May not be an original but I think a pretty good deal. If anyone has an idea of what it may have started life as I would be interested to hear. As a custom job I don't think it's worth a letter to find out.

Thanks in advance!

 

[series guy]

You likely paid less than the bill for the custom work. That should be a fantastic shooter. Well Done! I did a similar thing and removed the 8 3/8” full lug barrel from my 629 and replaced it with a 4” eBay barrel. Andy Horvath did the work.

 

[SLT223]

I would have paid $750 for that too. I’ve been thinking about doing exactly that to a new 629 for a few years.

Edit:
Let us know how it shoots!

 

[stansdds]

Definitely a custom job and for $750, you did fantastic!

 

[CWH44300]

I like it!!!
A lot!
Could have started as a full lug with that spring loaded FS
Cylinder looks great too
I imagine it’ll shoot real good, don’t think I’ve ever had a dash 6 that didn’t
And it’s already got your grips on it!
Congratulations

 

[jeffrefrig]

"I would say it started as a 629-6 either a Classic Stainless or a Classic DX Stainless." OP
What does DX stand for? Or what part of the Totem Pole is that?
Nice gun for sure. Any price under $1000 would have my attention.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Not a .44 guy but SWEEeeeeet and a great price IMHO!!

 

[75Vette]

We all knew you were going back for it! (I would have too. ) Someone did some really nice work on that one. Great pick up!!

 

[madmikeb]

"I would say it started as a 629-6 either a Classic Stainless or a Classic DX Stainless." OP
What does DX stand for? Or what part of the Totem Pole is that?
Nice gun for sure. Any price under $1000 would have my attention.

The Classic DX came with a box of various front sight blades and two grips, 1 wood I believe. There may be more differences too.

 

[CWH44300]

Yes
A few different sight blades, 2 sets of grips and the target

A dash six DX